South Yorkshire County Council

In 1986, throughout England the metropolitan county councils including South Yorkshire County Council were abolished. The functions of the county council were devolved to the boroughs; joint-boards covering fire, police and public transport; and to other special joint arrangements.

The types of actions typically found include: following up on a telephone call with a house visit, taking a statement or questionnaire from someone who has been in touch with the police or was identified as at the match by another party. The documents are updated by the officer undertaking the action with the outcome and cross-referenced to any supporting documents, such as statements or questionnaires. ... more

Includes actions to be taken by officers with outcomes, Copies of selected documents, witness statements and Officer's Reports regarding the closure of the West Stand terraces tunnel during the 1988 FA Cup Semi Final ... more

Third party proceedings between the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (First Party Claimant) V Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and Eastwood and Partners (First Third Party Defendants) held in the High County of Justice, Liverpool District Registry. ... more

This file includes the following items: Transcript of proceedings: Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry into the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, Day 29 (27 June 1989). Transcript of proceedings: Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry into the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, Morning (14 July 1989), pp 39 - 52. Correspondence from Eastwood and Partners, regarding the redevelopment of the Kop stand, 1986. Correspondence regarding the Memorandum of evidence to the Taylor Inquiry by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities with schedule of comments of the draft, June 1989. Final Submission on behalf of Sheffield City Council to the Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry. Correspondence between Keeble Hawson, Solicitors, Dr Popper, HM Coroner and Sheffield City Council regarding comments on documents [in preparation for] the Coroner's Resumed Inquests including Handwritten notes by David [Bownes] regarding comments on a document, November 1990. Draft of Proposed Summary of Facts, several copies some with annotations. Correspondence and Memorandums between South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Eastwood and Partners and Sheffield City Council regarding the use of the North West Terrace for use of away supporters (Sheffield United) and meetings regarding changes to policing arrangements at Hillsborough Stadium and crowd capacity, November - December 1989. Notice of amendment of General Safety Certificate for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, December 1979. Notice of amendment of General Safety Certificate for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, November 1989. Note to Mr Maxwell, Counsel for Sheffield City Council regarding application of witnesses not to appear at the Coroner's Resumed Inquest, November 1990. Final observations by Andrew Collins, QC, Counsel for Treasure Solicitor on behalf of Lord Justice Taylor. Typed "Action of P.T. Jackson, Acting Principal Officer, Environmental Protection Unit, Sheffield City Council". ... more

Includes: 1. A brief assessment into the General Safety Certificate; 2. Report by the Football Grounds Improvement Trust; 3. Report by the Football Trust; 4. Match Order 1988/1989 A Comparison; 5. Report into Ticket Allocation; ... more

Discussions between Sheffield City Council, Eastwood & Partners, SWFC, South Yorkshire Police and Fire Services; Meetings of the Officer Working Party; Improvements to safety of Hillsborough stadium pre 1989; Lay out of terraces, fences and barriers ... more

Contributor: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, their solicitors and insurers

Correspondence between SWFC, police and Sheffield City Council; Preparations for staging football matches at Hillsborough pre 1989: Policing organisation, logistics and responsibilities; Discussions and meetings relating to ground improvements and application for safety licence ... more

Contributor: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, their solicitors and insurers

Includes correspondence, file notes of conversations between HM Coroner, Leslie Sharp, Cumbria Police, Geoffrey Dear, West Midlands Police and Mervyn Jones, West Midlands Police regarding the role of the Coroner's Officer following Mervyn Jones appointment with Cheshire Constabulary in 1990. Letter from Hillsborough Steering Committee to HM Coroner following the announcement Dr Popper, HM Coroner was to retire (1991. Typed advice [from Rotheras, Solicitors -Solicitor for HM Coroner] on legal and procedural matters likely to arise from the Coroner's Inquests, Typed advice on the use of Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry Transcripts as evidence and the rule of self-incrimination, Instructions to Counsel and [Outline of terms of reference and issues to be dealt with]. Letters from relatives (and solicitors representing relatives) of the deceased with specific questions wishing to be addressed at the Coroner's Resumed Inquests, includes requests of people to be considered as witnesses. West Midlands Police Report into the death of Christopher Edwards [Deceased 38]. ... more

This file includes the following items: Correspondence from Keeble Hawson, Solicitors regarding attendance at the Pre- Inquest Review, October 1990. Correspondence from Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, Solicitors Eastwood and Partners regarding attendance as witness for the Contribution Hearings, September 1990. Note regarding request for copies of amendments to Sheffield Wednesday Safety Certificate made in August 1989, September 1990. South Yorkshire Police Press Release of decision of Director of Public Prosecutions, August 1989. Interim Report of Trustees of the Hillsborough Disaster Appeal, April 1990, 2 copies. Letter received from Belgian off Duty Police officers expressing their opinion as to the causes of the Disaster, April 1990. Association of Metropolitan Authorities Policy Committee Summary and recommendations of the findings of the Taylor Inquiry, February 1990. Correspondence with Liverpool City Council regarding funding arrangements for the Hillsborough Assistance Unit, December 1989. Letter from EPI Centre, research centre requesting copies of material produced by Sheffield City Council regarding emergency planning, communication and support work, December 1989. Sheffield City Council Memorandum regarding capacity of Leppings Lane Terraces, December 1989. Letter from Edge Hill College, Lancashire requesting copies of Public Minutes and Reports by Sheffield City Council, October 1989. Letter from Sheffield Trade Union Council to Secretary of the Taylor Inquiry enclosing Submission by the Trade Union Council, November 1989, with notes on the Submission. Handwritten notes, 2 November 1989. Letter from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club requesting invitation to attend Officers Working Party Meeting, October 1989. Letter from Sheffield United Football Club regarding request of Ambulance Sheffield Eagles Rugby Club, October 1989. Hillsborough Task Team Coroner's Inquest Training Day manual, February 1990. Correspondence with South Yorkshire Police regarding Pitch perimeter fence gates at Hillsborough Stadium, September - October 1989. Letter from Eastwood and Partners to South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service regarding access between North Stand and Spion Kop, Hillsborough Stadium, September 1989. Home Office Circular 7/1989 regarding jurors and ordinary Witnesses, September 1989. Letter from Hillsborough Working Party. Liverpool City Council criticising Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Authority. Extracts from Policy Committee Minutes, Report of Head of Administration of Legal Department summary of actions take in light of the Disaster. Agenda for General Purposes Panel meeting of 15th September 1989. Letter from Sheffield United in response to annual Inspection, August 1989. Letter from Webster to Municipal Journal from response to article by Norman Bush, August 1989, also memorandum enclosing the article. Correspondence from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club in response to Annual Inspection, August 1989. Typed [Script] entitled "The Legal Dimension", by Sheffield City Council Public Relations Officer annotated with amendments. Letter from Liverpool City Council inviting Sheffield City Council to attend meeting to review progress of co-ordination of services, August 1989. Letter from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club regarding amendments to Safety Certificate and Agreement with South Yorkshire Police. Memorandum from Director of Health and Consumer Services to Head of Administration and Legal Department, Sheffield City Council in reply to various queries relating to Safety at Sports Grounds, August 1989. Letter from Sheffield United Football Club to Head of Administration and Legal Department regarding recommendations by Taylor, August 1989. Memorandum from Hillsborough Task Team explaining services, August 1989. Memorandum from Head of Administration and Legal Department to Principle Solicitor regarding release of the [Taylor Inquiry], August 1989. Letter from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to Head of Administration and Legal Department regarding wording of emergency evacuation procedure on the Safety Certificate, August 1989. Letter from Sheffield United Football Club regarding stewarding and crowd control, July 1989. Letter from Sheffield Magistrates' Court in reply to clarification of the City Council's position on notification of changes to safety Certificate, July 1989, see letter dated 17 July 1989 from Chief Executive. Letter from Secretary to the Taylor Inquiry to the Lord Mayor expressing thanks during the Inquiry, July 1989. Memorandum from Head of Administration and Legal Department to Chief Licensing Officer regarding action to be taken relating to the reopening of Hillsborough Stadium, July 1989. Handwritten schedule of costs of the Hillsborough Inquiry for the Administration and Legal Department. Handwritten schedule recording barriers tested at [Hillsborough Stadium] between 1985 and 1988. Handwritten notes relating to query from Liverpool supporter with questions regarding the Fire Service. Analysis of blood alcohol content of spectators entering the ground [Hillsborough Stadium] before and after 2:40 [at the 1989 FA Cup Semi Final]. Handwritten notes on turnstiles. Letter from Colin Moynihan regarding the Football Spectators Bill, March 1989. Handwritten note entitled "Hillsborough Claim". Newspaper articles. ... more

Correspondence between South Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, HM Coroner (South Yorkshire: West District), Families of the deceased, Crown Prosecution Service, Hillsborough Family Support Group, ACPO, solicitors [representing families of the deceased, South Yorkshire Police and other parties]; Includes, Requests of information relating to requests from the Coroner's Inquests of Sarah and Victoria Hicks, Paul Carlile and Adam Spearritt (1990 - 1991); Correspondence between ACPO and Hillsborough Family Support Group relating to the financial assistance from Police Authorities for Greenwood, Murray and Duckenfield (1998 - 1999); Correspondence relating to request from Hillsborough Family Support Group requesting the release of original witness statements, documents and electronic documents retained on Holmes for use in the Committal Bundle at Leeds Magistrates' Court following Stuart Smith Scrutiny; Requests for specific witness statements; Witness Summons of South Yorkshire Police to produce documents at Leeds Magistrates' Court; Papers relating to the costs of providing copies; Request of copy of Actions issued in relating to the Hillsborough Disaster; Request for David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray's Briefing notes; Request for original Operational Order; Transcript of 3 September 1999 before Justice Hooper Regina v Murray and Duckenfield in the High Court of Justice, Leeds, order for South Yorkshire Police to make available copies of documents requested by Hillsborough Family Support Group on 20 August 1999; Copy of Letters from Nicholson, Health and Safety Executive to Assistant Chief Constable Mervyns Jones, West Midlands Police relating to the removal of broken crush barrier 124A, July 1989."; ... more

Papers regarding the disaster including correspondence regarding donations to the Hillsborough Disaster Appeal by other Council's and individuals and funding of West Midlands Police's Inquiry, Internal Sheffield City Council Memorandum and reports and copies of newspaper and magazine articles

Page 94 of this document is a photocopy of a letter partly obscured by a compliment slip. The page as it appears is exactly the same as the paper copy. Page 95 is a photocopy of a letter, which may be the complete version of the letter on page 94. ... more

This file includes the following items: Letter from Chief Fire Officer to [Chief Executive, South Yorkshire County Council] regarding, 2nd January 1979. "Written answer of Divisional Officer to questions arising from the Officer Working Party meeting on 18th April 1985". Letter from Chief Fire Officer regarding draft safety Certificate conditions, 25th May 1989. ... more

Memorandum from Chief Fire Officer to all Divisional Commanders, 18th February 1986. Letter from Roger Pensam, Head of Administration and Legal Department, Sheffield City Council outlining the roles and division of responsibilities between Authorities, 14th May 1987. ... more

Includes: Correspondence from the Social Services Inspectorate Y&H region to Chief Inspector Social Services regarding the initial responses following the disaster. Minutes of meeting between senior Social Services Inspectorate managers and other Agencies, 17 April 1989. Copy of Home Secretary statement to the House of Commons, 17 April 1989.Letter from Barry Slater to Private Secretary / Secretary of State regarding Local Authority responses to the disaster. Liverpool City Council press release regarding the Hillsborough Database. Minutes of the Hillsborough Inter Agency Group meetings, 20 April 1989, 24 April 1989, 5 May 1989, 12 May 1989, 19 May 1989, 26 May 1989, 1 Sept 1989, and 13 Oct 1989.Considerations for re-siting a permanent counselling and support centre. Papers relating to the East Midlands Air Crash. Press cuttings from the Yorkshire Post, 17-18 April 1989. "After Hillsborough" ... more

Which discussed the continuation of the abolished South Yorkshire County Council's administrative system in relation to the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975, with new Safety Certificate Conditions to be drafted in consultation with other appropriate authorities ... more

Detailed statement of the course of events relating to the safety certificate and licensing of the Hillsborough stadium; Transcript of David Bownes evidence to the Taylor Inquiry on Tuesday 27 June 1989 morning and afternoon sessions ... more

Contributor: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, their solicitors and insurers

Includes Health Circular on arrangements for dealing with major accidents; correspondence between the Emergency Planning Officer and the Department of Health and Social Security, South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Health Authority regarding guidelines on Major Accident Procedures and Emergency Planning; Job Application and Evaluation for the role of Emergency Planning Officer; Emergency Planning Manual for On Call Officers; Guidelines on Major Accident Procedures; South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service and Northern General Hospital Major Disaster Plan.

Includes: Summary of Evidence Sheet Statement (S1748), Original supplementary statement (S1748A), Transcript of Criminal Interview under Caution. There are two copies of this evidence - one original, one photocopy. ... more

This file includes the following items: Witness Statement of Head of Administration and Legal Department, signed, July 1990. File note of telephone conversation with West Midlands Police officer requesting further information on the Chief Licensing Officer and Head of Administration for Sheffield City Council, Match 1990. Details of members South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority [sent to West Midlands Police], February 1990, handwritten notes relating to this. Agenda for meeting of the Fire and Civil Defence Authority Emergency Planning Committee 2 February 1990 with supporting documents, reports and minutes of meetings. Witness Statements of Principle Assistant in the Administration and Legal Department, signed, January 1990, several copies. Draft Statement of Principle Assistant in the Administration and Legal Department, signed, 1990, several copies. Notes of meeting between South Yorkshire Police District Emergency Liaison Officers and South Yorkshire Fire Civil Defence Authority Emergency Planning Unit, September 1989. "Notes on how the Emergency Plan was Activated [Hillsborough Disaster]" information for West Midlands Police, November 1989. Meeting between Emergency planning officers and West Midlands Police [for the West Midlands Police Criminal Investigation?], 26 October 1989. Correspondence with Keeble Hawson, Solicitors and Head of Administration and Legal Department regarding representation of Sheffield City Council officers during the West Midlands Police Criminal Investigation, August -September 1989. Questions for [Arthur] Butler Interview, Building Surveyor, Sheffield City Council [for the West Midlands Police Criminal Investigation?], 29 June 1990. Sheffield City Council Scheme for Major Peacetime Emergencies, October 1987 press cutting relating to this. ... more

This file includes the following items: Brief to Counsel representing Sheffield City Council at the Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry as present to the court on the 28th April 1989, 26 April 1989. Committee of Inquiry into Crowd Safety and Control at Sports Grounds Interim and Final Reports (Popplewell Report) 1986. Green Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, 1986. General Safety Certificate - Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Safety Certificate, 1979. Legislation relating to Safety at Sports Grounds Acts with notes relating to Hillsborough Stadium. Second Draft Statement of David Bownes, Chief Licensing Officer, Administration and Legal Department, Sheffield City Council and Document summary sheets of documents submitted to Lord Justice Taylor Inquiry, with annotations. Investigation notes of Hillsborough Stadium by R.M. Ford [Environmental Health, Sheffield City Council], 15 - 19 April 1989. Newspaper cuttings relating to safety at Sports Grounds Act in relation to Hillsborough Stadium. Correspondence from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to South Yorkshire County Council and South Yorkshire Police to The Football Association relating to crushing at the 1981 FA Cup Semi Final at Hillsborough. Plans of Hillsborough Stadium West Stand including Terraces and Turnstiles. ... more

Exhibit Book of Property, Clothing and other documents, containing: 1. Logs of property recovered from Hillsborough Stadium. 2. Logs of property recovered from Medico Legal Centre. 3. Logs of property recovered from Northern General Hospital. 4. Logs of photos, videos and documents created and received. 5. Computer prints outs of these logs. ... more

This file includes the following items:
Blood alcohol concentrations in samples taken from patients admitted to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital;
Correspondence regarding request of medical records, September 1997;
Medical and Nursing Debriefing relating to the Hillsborough Disaster;
Note of issues discussed at debriefing meeting held at the Northern General Hospital, July 1989;
Report from Switchboard department regarding Major Accident Procedure 15th April 1989, includes Majax instructions;
Letter from A. Crosby, Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital to Doctors [of Royal Hallamshire Hospital] thanking for their support on the 15th April 1989, 18th April 1989;
Letter from 10 Downing Street to Stanley Speight following visit of Margaret Thatcher, MP to the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospitals, 17th April 1989;
Letter purporting to be from 10 Downing Street to Mr Crosby following visit of Margaret Thatcher, MP to the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospitals, 17th April 1989 [This letter is considered to be an obvious hoax];
Copy letters from A. Crosby, Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital to colleges at Royal Hallamshire Hospital thanking staff for their support on the 15th April 16989, 18th April 1989;
Handwritten lists of [patients] [at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital?] List for: In transit, Patients admitted, A/E X-Ray Reception, A/E WRVS, Entrance to physiotherapy, Action car register - includes switchboard numbers for Sheffield Health Authority;
Correspondence between A.C.Crosby, Consultant in Accident and Emergency, Royal Hallamshire Hospital and Oxley & Coward Solicitors, regarding statement of A.C.Crosby (included), May 1989;
Correspondence relating to approach from Dr Ashton, Liverpool University to Sheffield Health Authority, July - August 1989;
List of slides and notes for presentation given at [Symposium on Communication and Documentation for major emergencies] in the Hillsborough Disaster;
"The hospital response to the Hillsborough tragedy", by J. Wardrope, M.S Hocket and A.C. Crosby, published in Injury (1990) 21;
Correspondence following request from patient to confirm attendance at Accident and Emergency department of Royal Hallamshire Hospital on 16th April 1989, March 1990;
File labelled: "Hillsborough Draft papers reports recollections etc. Mr. A.C. Crosby received 19 Jul 1999": Includes Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, 15 April 1989, Inquiry by the Right Honourable Lord Justice Taylor, Interim Report; Draft Hillsborough Lessons for Health Care, Trent and Merseyside Regional Health Authorities;
Typed "My recollection of the Sheffield Football Disaster" A.C.Crosby;
Patient Episode Summaries, Royal Hallamshire Hospital; Accident and Emergency Record Cards, Royal Hallamshire Hospital; Breakdown of number of patients admitted and discharged and schedule of events at Royal Hallamshire Hospital;
Hillsborough Lessons for Health Care: Recommendations of a Joint Symposium Trent and Merseyside Regional Health Authorities, Report;
Hillsborough Lessons for Health Care: Trent and Merseyside Regional Health Authorities, Programme for Symposium, June 1990. ... more